Our God Reigns!

Some of you have asked about more details from yesterday and today, so I'll try and type it all. First and foremost, all of the praise, honor and glory go to God our Father. He is Yahweh...He is Faithful...He is Provider..He is All-Sufficient..He is Great...We give Him all the glory for everything that happened yesterday, and for all that will happen today!

Our team (or at least 19) of us were scheduled to meet at The Church at Brook Hills yesterday at 2:30 to leave by 3:00. But, God had other plans. During the mid-morning yesterday, we were made aware of the volcano, Pacaya, erupting in Guatemala. There were some deaths and ash was raining on the city. God burdened our hearts for the people who live in the dump with no roof over their heads. Please pray for them!

We met at the church and began calling Delta. After 3 previous phone calls (made during the morning hours), our flight on Saturday morning was officially cancelled. So, we hit the phonelines....hotel has to be cancelled in Atlanta, flights have to be changed for 26 people (21 of whom are in a group, 5 are individual tickets and then there's actually another person flying out of Memphis who has to change her ticket too). Then, there's the other 5 people who are flying American Airlines and having to deal with their flights being cancelled. Many of you who truly know me know that talking on the phone is among my least favorite things to do. And, God called me to it....so I obeyed.

First, I talked to Delta and was told we could get a flight into Guatemala City on Wednesday at the earliest....people have taken off work, plans have been made....no, that wouldn't work. Then, we call again, and we're given the option of flying into nearby countries...Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. What to do? What to do? Using the brains on our team, we determine the nearest airport (San Salvador) and try again.

Another call to Delta (keep in mind that each of these calls is at least a 1/2 an hour) is made. They don't fly into El Salvador but they do have a flight to San Salvador. What? Do they hire people who don't know geography? Truly, this is a sign that I must hang up and call again. So, I ask...you don't have a flight into El Salvador? No, Delta doesn't fly into El Salvador. Okay, I say, but you do have a flight into San Salvador? Yes, we do. Ummm...the capital of El Salvador is San Salvador I say. She replies...but we don't fly into El Salvador.. But, you do have a flight into San Salvador? Yes, she says...okay, I'll take it. I should have recorded this conversation...it did make me laugh. Perhaps geography was not her forte.

Then, we are told that the flights will cost an additional $170 per person although the $150 change fee will be waived. Now, $170 for one person is not bad, but multiply that times the total number of participants, and we're talking $4800. NO WAY!!!!

Despite my tears and realization that this is an impossible situation (and against my personal desires), JT takes the information to the group. I prefer not to burden others with the administration details of a trip...that's my burden to bear. But, that's my opinion and my opinion only...and does not allow the body of Christ to participate. So, the information was taken to the group. The body of Christ went into prayer mode. They prayed.... then, they were motivated to get others to pray. They sent text messages...Facebook...Twitter...social networking for the cause of Christ. I was still on the phone with Delta, so I was unaware of all of this until later.

I had moved my "office" to the van so that I could recharge my phone. My friend, Angelia has joined me and we're tag-teaming the details. As a sidenote here, I am so thankful for her administrative skills...God has us on the same page, and we were a great team. Then, I talked to Barbara Sinke at the Atlanta Delta office. After 45 minutes she said that she would call me back in 45 minutes and she would try everything she could to help us. Let me back up by saying that the conversation with her was extensive (over an hour) and there were lots of tears.

In the meantime, we continued to pray. We prayed that God would make a way where there was no way. We were desperate for Him to act in a way that could only bring glory to Him!!!

Then, the mission trip participants (most of whom are high school and college students with limited funds) started streaming out of the church. They began coming one by one to the passenger door and telling Angelia how much money they could give. It was like a scene out of a movie...have you ever seen Rudy where the team members come in and give the coach their jerseys? It's for Rudy coach... They all come to the coach and give up their jersey so that he can play. In a very similar way, they gave up their high school graduation gifts, college funds, savings, and more. Our hearts were overwhelmed with their generosity. Then, our friends began to send messages and call....how could they give? God poured out His blessings in and through the obedience of the body of Christ. He broke us. He overwhelmed us. He blessed us.

I was not hopeful that Barbara would call back...but she did! She said that she had good news. She could get us on the flight to San Salvador the next day, and there would be no charges!!! What??? God had shown us that He would receive the glory..He just wanted us to obey Him and depend fully on Him. We were overwhelmed.

Okay, four more hurdles....3 individual tickets (one of whom I couldn't help because she lived in Memphis)and 1 group of 3 together. First, the individual tickets...for Kathleen and Tyler. I talk to Alma, and she helps me get those tickets..and then, we get cut off. I don't even know if these two tickets go through or not. I call back (please Lord...I've been on the phone for 3 hours at this point). I get Ed in Tampa...he assures me that those 2 tickets were good. Okay! Good news! And, then the person in Memphis gets her ticket changed too...NO charges there either!

While I'm on the phone with Ed, Alma calls me back and leaves a message. There are NO more seats on that flight. My final three people (Christy, Deanna and Michael) are going to have to fly to Salt Lake City and then Los Angeles and then fly into San Salvador...a day later. No, that won't work. But, Ed finds a way to get them on the same flight. I am overwhelmed by God's grace and mercy. He made a way!!!! He is good!

We all gather in the church lobby and circle up. The good news is shared, and Tyler leads us in song and worship. We sing "Great is Your Faithfulness" and God showed Himself powerful and strong. We praise His name!

Afterwards, Kathleen's parents, Denver and Susan Nolin, invite the entire group over for dinner at their house. We are shown unbelievable hospitality and enjoy time together as a group. Today, we depart for Atlanta...then, on to San Salvador. Praise the Father! He is good!